As a newbie, I want to stop in and pick their brains. oops, I mean stop in and say hi.

What's the price for me to sit down with you and be able to pick your brain?

I had about 3 different ideas all melting into one mess in the middle of my brain and nothing made sense.1) My original intent was to give a fixed return for a fixed time.

See what your attorney thinks.....we can brain storm it after you speak to the attorney. .....good luck!

Options can be valued, but usually it's way too much brain damage for most investors to foolwith and on smaller properties 10% is the norm that will not create problems.

Without going into alot of brain damage, I'd use them as a referral to you and not try to contract off the bat.The church is probably going to be a great start up partner.

I also agree with Don, again, without any buts.Lending is IMO more profitable than most other ventures at the end of the year with much less sweat or brain damage.

Agreed, might suggest you look at doing business in the 50,60,70 range as there are motivated sellers and you might consider options and flipping them, that is no more brain damage than an 8K property and probably less......IMO

With this plan, a lot of the brain damage has already been done for you.

I don't think you would have a hard time finding someone who is proven to be successful and paying them a fee for a few months in order to pick their brain whenever you needed to.